​I am a firm believer in life-long learning. I worked in private industry for a decade before getting a Ph.D. degree and starting my faculty position at the University of Georgia. The work experience in equity investment and energy consulting changed how I approach research projects - making most of the collaborations across disciplines and interests, thinking about the audience, better ways of communicating results, and setting achievable timelines and goals. As I tell my kids, it's never too late to pursue our dreams.  

I have traveled widely. I am originally from Japan, studied in Europe during my college years, and moved to the U.S. about 20 years ago. I am interested in historical, social, economic, and political contexts that have contributed to environmental policies in different locations.  

I am passionate about doing research that helps us manage natural resources sustainably and make better decisions about adaptation against climate change. In this pursuit, I hope to collaborate with other economists, scientists from different disciplines, and practitioners.